Giada, a 30-year-old writer, lives with her boyfriend in central Italy. After completing several unpaid internships, she was able to secure a more stable position this year. Specializing in science, she earns about 800 euros per month on a one-year part-time contract, which has led her to delay plans for motherhood due to financial concerns. She is aware of the challenges women face in the workplace in Italy, where female employment rates are low and the gender pay gap is substantial. She worries about her job security and the impact that having a child would have on their already precarious financial situation.
Chiara, a 26-year-old social media strategist, shares similar concerns with her boyfriend, as their salaries do not allow for planning a family. Despite being financially independent since the age of 19, her wages have only been enough to cover living expenses with no room for savings. She is currently working on an apprenticeship contract, earning about 1,200 euros per month, and does not anticipate a significant increase in salary. Like Giada, the couple’s desire for children is strong, but they are aware of the financial strain that it would bring.
The postponement of motherhood is a common trend in Italy, with women on average having their first child at over 31 years old. Factors such as decreased propensity to have children, lack of affordable childcare, and the difficulties of balancing work and family life have contributed to the decline in the fertility rate. This trend has led to government measures aimed at increasing the birth rate, such as free nursery care for a second child and benefits for companies that hire mothers on permanent contracts.
While these incentives are helpful, experts believe that a focus on building new childcare facilities and offering full-time education and after-school activities in schools would be more beneficial in the long run. They emphasize the importance of considering children as a vital part of the community, with the responsibility for their care falling on the public rather than individual households.